Physical Training for Loaded Marching Performance Among British Army Recruits.

Research Paper Title

Physical Training for Loaded Marching Performance Among British Army Recruits.

Abstract

Study 1 quantified the validity and repeatability of an automated on-line (ON) gas analysis system during sub-maximal loaded marching (LM) against that of the Douglas Bag (DB) approach. The 95% ratio Limits of Agreement (LoA) revealed the ON system systematically overestimated V02 by -16% (1.16 (x/+1.19). The Bland and Altman plots revealed DB repeatability was almost two-fold better than ON (-9% vs. -15%), thus the DB approach should be used subsequently to measure human expired gases.

Study 4 established the determinants of 2.4 km LMP from a test battery performed at the beginning of British Army infantry training. The best mathematical model of LMP included the independent variables of, LME (r=0.65), 2.4 km run time (r=0.42), and peak static lift strength (r=0.48). This explained 65% of the variation in LMP, and had a prediction error of ± 51 s. Mathematically, LME and 2.4 km run time exerted the greatest influence on LMP, whereas the influence of static lift strength on LMP was small.

Study 6 investigated the efficacy of a modified (MOD) physical training programme designed to improve V-02max, 2.4 km run time, and muscular strength, for the purposes of further improving LMP. MOD physical training consisted of high intensity interval training, and field based resistance training. Between-groups no differences were observed in 2.4 km LMP (832s vs. 826 s, P=0.187), V02max (4.01 l’min-I vs. 4.061·min-l, P=0.828), 2.4 km running time (571 s vs 570, P=O.208), and static lift strength (126.5 kg vs. 119.0 kg, P=0.218) at the end of training. Unexpectedly, the control group performed better in, 6.4 km LMP (49.7 mins vs. 51.5 mins, P=0.005) at the end of training, and 2.4 km running performance in the middle of training (588 vs. 566 s, P=O.OO 1). Thus, the MOD intervention was no better than existing infantry physical training at improving LMP, as well as the determinants of LMP.

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Reference

Brown, P.E.H. (2009) Physical Training for Loaded Marching Performance Among British Army Recruits. Thesis: University of Southampton. Available from World Wide Web: www.eurjhm.com/index.php/eurjhm/article/view/317. [Accessed: 22 August, 2015].